Friday, October 26, 2018

Fri-Yay: The Conners Premieres to Praise and Strong Ratings; COZI TV Celebrates The Nanny's 25th Anniversary with Marathon

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

The Conners

by Vincent

The Conners made its big debut last week, and it did so to surprisingly strong reviews and ratings that...well, might seem slightly underwhelming, but still comfortably outperformed just about every other network TV show this season. The series bowed to a strong 2.4 in the demo, and in its second week, fell to a 1.7 (all while facing the World Series). Those ratings are definitely smaller than what Roseanne's reboot were doing, but they are still easily ABC's strongest comedy, and even if it falls a bit more, should have no problem seeing a renewal.

So how is the show? Critics seem to be pretty high on it. While I was never a huge Roseanne fan, I appreciate the original series' commitment to serious storytelling that shined a light on tough issues. The Conners seems to be on this path. Killing Roseanne off seems a bit harsh, but doing it due to an opioid addiction (established in the revival season) actually seems like the least obnoxious way to go about it (certainly a lot better than the ridiculous manner Two and a Half Men killed Charlie Sheen's character off.) It allows the show to utilize the dramatic storytelling that worked so well for Roseanne. Another strength is of course, the cast. The cast really gets an opportunity to shine, and Roseanne Barr being absent allows the show to give more screentime to actors like Sara Gilbert and John Goodman, who do a fantastic job in the series.

Of course, it will be interesting to see if interest can sustain itself over the long haul, or whether hype will fade in much the same way it has for Will & Grace (which is performing only marginally now after a strong start.) We'll see if The Conners can keep up its initial hype and goodwill and maintain its quality, but for now, it's one of the more interesting sitcoms to keep an eye on.


Nannyversary

While the beloved lead character Fran Fine was always cagey about her true age, there is no denying that this is the year The Nanny turns twenty-five. COZI TV will celebrate this special anniversary on November 3 with an all-day marathon counting down the twenty-five most beloved episodes. Featuring Fran Drescher herself in the on-air packaging and promotion, the marathon begins at 6:30 AM and runs through 7:00 PM. Visit COZITV.com for episode and schedule information and click here to view a promo. Debuting on November 3, 1993, The Nanny ran six seasons with 146 episodes airing between 1993 and 1999. The show catapulted Fran Drescher into global stardom and later became an enduring fan favorite in syndication.

Episodes featured in the Nanny-versary marathon include landmarks like their engagement and wedding, as well as favorites like "My Fair Nanny," where Fran gets an etiquette lesson from Maxwell and butler Niles so she can hold a proper mother-daughter tea with Maxwell's daughter. Also included in the marathon is "Where's the Pearls," when Fran loses guest star Elizabeth Taylor’s pearls and "The Honeymoon's Overboard" in which Fran and Maxwell as they adapt to living on a deserted island after falling off a yacht on their honeymoon. The Nanny is a classic fish out of water tale that follows Queens native Fran Fine, played by Drescher, who finds herself becoming the nanny to three children of a wealthy English widower, Maxwell Sheffield. Plenty of hilarious and heartwarming moments ensue, as Fran adjusts to life with the Sheffield family – and begins a long roller coaster romance with Mr. Sheffield.

The Nanny airs on COZI TV Monday through Friday from 12 AM to 2 AM, and from 10 AM to 11 AM. It also airs Sunday afternoons at 1 PM. The show won an Emmy Award and was nominated for eleven others.




Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, February 10

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the e-Neighborhood" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A new community social app shakes up the neighborhood. Also, Marty and Courtney attend a family class with Daphne and unexpectedly bump into Marty’s high school sweetheart.

Poppa's House - "Dirty Laundry" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Junior and Poppa’s relationship hits a rough patch when Junior agrees to film a commercial for JJ’s foam roller company, only to be ridiculed by Poppa on his podcast.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 10)

Monday, February 10

  • Betty Gilpin (GLOW/Nurse Jackie) - Watch Betty on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Will Ferrell (The Office) - Will is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Paula Pell (Girls5eva/Mapleworth Murders/A.P. Bio) - Paula appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Zach Cherry (Duncanville/I Feel Bad/Crashing) and Pete Holmes (How We Roll/Crashing) - Zach and Pete are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Amy Schumer (Life & Beth) and Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Amy and Brianne are guests on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
  • Scott Foley (The Goodwin Games/A.U.S.A./Scrubs) - Scott stops by Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • George Wallace (Clean Slate/The Parkers/Arli$$/Tall Hopes) - George talks about Clean Slate on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men/Togetherness) and Lauren Ambrose (The Return of Jezebel James) - Drew is chatting with Yellowjackets cast Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Tawny Cypress and Lauren Ambrose about working as cast of women in their forties, supporting each other as working moms and the newest season of their thrilling show on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Plus, they're playing a rousing round of confession session and Drew is trying to match their fun revealing facts to the right person.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series

10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

02/10 - First Ever SNL Episode This Saturday on NBC; FX Renews English Teacher for Season 2
02/09 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 10, 2025)
02/08 - SitcomsOnline Digest: English Teacher Renewed at FX; MeTV Toons to Launch House of Hanna-Barbera Programming Block
02/07 - SNL50's Star-Studded Lineup; Adult Swim Presents Oh My God... Yes! A Series of Extremely Relatable Circumstances
02/06 - Prime Video Iliza Shlesinger Special; Kate Hudson Stars in Netflix Comedy
02/05 - Fox Midseason Tuesday Change; 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Rosters
02/04 - NBC Summer Staples Return in Summer 2025; Gronk Guests on Animal Control
02/03 - The Conners Final Season Premieres March 26; Tyler Perry Gets 2nd Comedy Series for Netflix
02/02 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 3, 2025)
02/01 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Little House on the Prairie Reboot Headed to Netflix; George Sr. Set to Return on Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage
01/31 - Final Season of The Righteous Gemstones; Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell's Audible Original
01/30 - Netflix's New Little House on the Prairie Series Coming Soon; Sabrina Brier Gets Awesomeness TV Series
01/29 - MGM+ Orders Comedy Series; Peacock's Amanda Seyfried Series Premieres March 13
01/28 - Ellen Pompeo's Hulu Series Gets Premiere Date; The White Lotus Season 3 Launches February 16
01/27 - Hulu's Deli Boys Adds Tan France; Joel McHale Taking Over The 1% Club
01/26 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 27, 2025)
01/25 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Righteous Gemstones to End After Upcoming Season; Mid-Century Modern to Pay Tribute to Linda Lavin
01/24 - Prime Video George Lopez Special; Netflix Renews The Lincoln Lawyer for Season 4
01/23 - Tubi's New Comedy The Z-Suite Launches February 6; The White Lotus Renewed for Season 4
01/22 - Fox Announces Animation Domination 2025 Schedule; Abbott Elementary Renewed for Season 5
01/21 - Fox Renews Murder in a Small Town; O.J. Simpson Netflix Docuseries
01/20 - Rewind TV February 2025 Schedule; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Score Big for Premieres
01/19 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 20, 2025)
01/18 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Frasier Reboot Canceled at Paramount+; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming to MeTV Toons
01/17 - Remembering Bob Uecker of Mr. Belvedere, Punky Brewster Creator David W. Duclon, and Others We Recently Lost
01/16 - Apple TV+ Prime Target Trailer; Apple Cider Vinegar Premieres in February on Netflix
01/15 - My Three Sons to Join FETV Lineup Starting February 3; St. Denis Medical Renewed for Season 2
01/14 - Game Show Network Acquires The Wall; NBC's The Hunting Party to Premiere After NFL Divisional Playoff Game
01/13 - Antenna TV February 2025 Schedule; SNL First Two 2025 Episodes Before 50th Anniversary Event
01/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 13, 2025)
01/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Saturday Night Live Hosts Announced; The West Wing Returns to Max After Brief Disappearance
01/10 - The Jeffersons 50th Anniversary Marathon on Antenna TV; FETV to Air Uncut Episodes of Most Series